The pounding of boots against wet stone echoed through the narrow alleyway as you, Jesper, and Inej sprinted through the shadows. The sound of shouts and the sharp clang of weapons grew louder behind you. The job had gone south—badly. Now, you were running for your lives, every step a gamble.

Jesper was laughing. Of course, he was laughing. “They’re getting closer!” he hollered, though his voice betrayed no real concern.

“Perhaps if you’d been quieter with that revolver of yours,” Inej hissed back, darting ahead, her movements as fluid as a whisper.

Your gaze locked on a broken grate up ahead, the kind that led to a sewage tunnel. Perfect. Or close enough.

Without a word, you veered toward it, and as if reading your mind, Inej followed. Jesper cursed but didn’t hesitate, trusting you both without question.

You dropped down first, bracing yourself against the slick metal edges of the chute. It was dark, narrow, and smelled like rot and rust. “Hold on!” you snapped just as Jesper came tumbling in, nearly knocking you forward.

“Wasn’t planning on letting go!” Jesper said, gripping your shoulder for balance.

Inej slipped in last, graceful as ever, though the faintest grimace touched her face as she realized where you’d led them. The three of you were now in what could only be described as a filthy, mud-slick tube—part of Ketterdam’s elaborate drainage system, perhaps.

“We’re going to smell worse than Barrel piss,” Jesper muttered, though he still managed to smirk.

You ordered sharply, jerking your chin down the sloping tunnel. There was no time to argue.

The three of you slid and scrambled forward, the muck beneath your boots making every step treacherous. Inej and Jesper crashed down on top of you with a loud oof!